Government suggests expanding telco infrastructure powers

The Australian government has announced a set of proposed changes to widen the powers and immunities of telecommunications carriers to roll out, expand, and maintain fixed-line and mobile communications infrastructure.

“Telecommunications carriers have a range of powers and immunities to allow for the installation and maintenance of certain network facilities, such as pillars and antennas, quickly and cost effectively,” Communications Minister Mitch Fifield said in a statement on Friday.

“The changes seek to clarify the operation of some existing powers and immunities, allow for the deployment of new types of network infrastructure, make changes to some existing facility types, and streamline notification and objection rules.”

Fifield pointed out that network technologies and demand for connectivity have both significantly changed since the immunities and powers were first legislated for in 1997, with the Department of Communications now undertaking public consultation on the proposed legislative changes suggested by telcos.

Such changes would allow for larger-sized and more types of infrastructure permitted to be built, as well as for less regulation over these facilities. The government said around AU$100 million in industry and government regulatory cost savings has been projected, along with AU$50 million in “economic and social productivity benefits”.

Specifically, proposed amendments to the Telecommunications Act would see poles of up to 12 metres high and 500mm in diameter considered low-impact facilities, as requested by the National Broadband Network (NBN) company; telcos able to install portable temporary comms facilities such as cells on wheels (COWs) without local government planning approval; telcos allowed to install replacement towers within 20m of an original tower; and maximum tower height extensions increased from 5m to 10m in commercial, industrial, and rural areas without needing state and territory planning approvals.

The proposed changes to the Telecommunications Code of Practice involve clarifying legal requirements for JV arrangements; reducing objection periods; allowing telcos to refer any objections to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO); replacing references to the Australian Communications Authority with references to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA); and updating any references to environmental and energy law.

Lastly, the LIFD changes would redefine collocated facilities; increase the maximum size of radiocomms and satellite dishes from 1.8m to 2.4m in diameter; increase the maximum height allowed of antenna protrusions above the structure they are attached to from 3m to 5m; include shrouds for radiocomms facilities as ancillary facilities; allow omni-directional radiocomms antennas to be included in low-impact facilities in residential and commercial areas; allow tower height extensions of up to 5m in commercial areas; add radiocomms lens antennas of up to 4 cubic metres as a type of LIFD facility; add cabinets for tower equipment of up to 3m high and less than 2 square metres in size as a designated facility; increase the maximum size of solar panels in rural areas from 7.5 square metres to 12.5 square metres; and increase the maximum length of a trench that can be open to install a conduit or cable in residential areas from 100m to 200m.

The LIFD would also be changed by clarifying that low-impact facilities can be installed on local government heritage and urban conservation areas, as long as it is not on a heritage register; replacing the term “micro cell” with “radiocommunications facility”; defining facilities by the size of their components and allowing them to be installed on this basis; allowing equipment inside residential structures to be considered low impact; including the installation of cable and conduit on or under bridges as a low-impact facility; and changing the volume restrictions on collocated facilities in commercial areas from 25 to 50 percent.

The government also announced reaching a new funding agreement with the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) on Friday after deciding in February to continue funding ACCAN.

Telcos reveal blackspot round two locations

The Department of Communications earlier this week also announced its blackspot round two locations following Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone releasing their rollout schedules for the program.

According to the government, 78 base stations will be built in Western Australia; 76 in Queensland; 39 in New South Wales; 32 in Victoria; 20 in South Australia, 15 in the Northern Territory; and six in Tasmania.